Most annoying things about parents are when they expect the child's routine to stay the same when they start nursery to when they were at home. Also agree that parents who pick up 2 minutes to when we finish who want a full blown handover, or late and argue about paying the late fee!

We don't play with children all the time, they have to learn to initiate their own play. And there is so much else we have to do throughout the day!

I wouldn't leave my child in a nursery, would choose a childminder every time!

(Do cm conversely say use a nursery?!)I'm curious to hear why a nursery nurse prefers a cm. I think I would too but curious to know what an actual childcare professional thinks as opposed to my ponderings!

Interesting thread. I hope it doesn't upset any parent who through sheer necessity have to rely on nursery care.

That said though, our ex nanny started off as a nursery worker. She always said she'd choose a CM over a nursery, an au pair over a CM for older children and a nanny over a CM/au pair for younger children.

She said children are very safe in nurseries, but that they are "cared for, but not always in a very caring way"

She was a big fan of early years (3+) education, but said she'd favour non profit making nursery provision (surestart, school nurseries) over private nurseries.

Interesting thread... wouldn't you say though that a good nursery is better than a mediocre nanny or childminder?

My 11mo dd is in nursery three days a week and absolutely loves it. We tried a childminder but she wasn't happy and seems far more comfortable in a bigger group. Is she unusual or is it likely to be a reflection on the quality of the different settings?

I trained to work in a nursery or as a TA. I did 3 placements in children's centres & one in a reception class - one CC & the school were held up as standards of excellence in the area. I've never applied for a job in either but have done a little nannying.

rallytog I would think it may be to do with the quality of the settings.

I work in a nursery, i would choose a good nursery over a childminder but i do have high standards. I went to visit 6 nurseries with my sister for her DS before i found one i was completely happy with.

I do not play all day long, part of my job is to help children to learn how to initiate play themselves and to play alongside and then with other children.

I would never judge parents for sending their children, people have to work.

I wouldn't say i have favourites but there are always children who have that extra special bond with you.

I'm a former nursery nurse, now a nanny. Will answer some of the questions!

Do you have favourite children?Yes but I never showed preference.

What things annoy you most about parents?When parents send in children in their best clothes and say they can't get dirty, or when they say their children cannot sleep all day even though they really need to!

What do you really think of parents who leave young babies in for long days? I feel bad for them. I often think if they saw how their babies were cared for they would take them out. I have done mainly supply work and I have seen some care which I really disagree with. Quite a few nursery nurses believe in the mantra that babies can be spoiled if you always pick them up when they cry, especially at the 1-2 age. I have seen children crying for cuddles for very long periods of time, and been told not to cuddle crying children myself because they have to learn 'independence'

Would you choose that for your children?I would choose a nanny or a childminder. I would never use a nursery after doing supply in around 50 settings.

Yes we do have favourite children, but we don't let it show. (By we I mean good staff. Bad staff may be different.)

Annoying things about parents? Ones that come in the last minute of nursery and then want to talk for 10 minutes. Parents with idiotic requests such as 'I want my child to call poo "solid bodily waste"' or the one the other day who's child was allergic to cherry tomatoes. Regular tomatoes were fine, it was just the cherry ones. . Or parents who want us to rearrange everything to fit in with their child. And the generally rude ones. And the unsuitable clothes. And the pervey ones.

Good staff play with the children and keep them busy all the time. Happy busy children are easier than bored ones after all. Bad staff tend to be lazy and ignore the children quite a bit. And yes there is a lot of other stuff to do. Paperwork, preparing activities, making the place look nice, cleaning, etc.

Nursery nurses tend to feel a bit sorry for babies left for a long time, but understand it's often necessary.

wouldn't you say though that a good nursery is better than a mediocre nanny or childminder? - Yes. Unfortunately there are very few good nurseries about. Maybe 20% are good. I'd prefer a great nursery and they account for less than 5% IMO. Most nurseries are crap, poor, or mediocre.

*Nanny for under 3's....Preschool care for over 3's...* - That seems to be the general consensus amongst nursery nurses.

Solasum Most children send in formula milk, so it's unusual in the not usual sense rather than unusual-weird. Plus, I have a suspicion that a lot of the 17 or 18 year old staff haven't really thought much about breastfeeding, and some might be a bit about 'body fluids' being passed over.